I just finished a nice router cabinet to replace my angle iron one and came to the finishing part. I used clear shellac as a sealer before staining. Imagine my surprise when I read the directions on the can. (Yes I'm a man and sometimes read directions). Anyway, the shellac directions said do not use to seal wood for staining. Why not? Does the stain not stick?
I called the company and talked to a rep. who said that it would not work and told me that I would have to sand off the shellac and start over to get the results I wanted.
I suppose I learned a valuable lesson again.
Have any on this forum had a similar experience and if so, what were your recourse?

Did he say to stain it first and then shellac or just don't mix the two Steve? And would it make a difference if the stain was oil based or water based. There is also some alcohol based stain, although I've never tried it. Since the shellac uses alcohol for a solvent then that stain should be able to bite into the shellac.

Someone I consider a master woodworker once told me that a master woodworker is not someone who never makes mistakes. He is someone who is able to cover them up so that no one can tell.

Thanks fellas. It is Zinser shellac. I suppose it has wax in it, but the can does not say. Anyway, I will try to sand and try to stain again. Another question. I guess that I will have to still put a conditioner or sealer on after sanding, is that correct?

Thanks fellas. It is Zinser shellac. I suppose it has wax in it, but the can does not say. Anyway, I will try to sand and try to stain again. Another question. I guess that I will have to still put a conditioner or sealer on after sanding, is that correct?

What the conditioner does is to make your stain act more evenly.

Typically softwoods will appear quite blotchy after staining, unless you apply more than one coat...which helps to make the stain appear more even. As you have discovered, the stain won't penetrate the sealer that you used.

Hopefully you can sand it off and start over again. Good luck.

OK, fess up...which one of you clowns stole my sig? It was right here a second ago.